Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Kohl's Department Stores Recognized With 2013 EPA Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award

Kohl’s continues green power leadership with commitment to a net zero carbon footprint through 2015

Kohl's Department Stores Recognized With 2013 EPA Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award

Kohl’s continues green power leadership with commitment to a net zero carbon footprint through 2015

Published 09-23-13

Submitted by Kohl's Department Stores

 Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) today announced that the company has been recognized with a 2013 Sustained Excellence in Green Power Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA’s annual Green Power Leadership Awards recognize the country’s leading green power users for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation’s voluntary green power market. Today Kohl’s also announced its goal to achieve net zero emissions each year through 2015.

“This recognition from EPA comes at a time when we are furthering our commitment to achieving carbon neutrality through a continued investment in the use and support of green power, as well as our sustainable operations strategies companywide,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s senior executive vice president. “In 2012, we were pleased to achieve our initial goal to achieve net zero emissions from 2010-2012 and are proud to extend that goal for three more years through 2015.” 

Initiatives to further both operational efficiency and green power programs are integral to the company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a net zero carbon footprint.

Operational Efficiencies

The foundation of Kohl’s efforts is the expansion of its longstanding leadership in operational efficiency, including waste reduction, building design and operation, transportation, supply chain and energy management. More than two-thirds of the company’s locations have earned EPA’s ENERGY STAR® certification, and more than a quarter have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Kohl’s is also an active participant in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. Through this program, the company has committed to reduce its energy use in more than 112 million square feet of occupied building space by at least 20 percent by 2020.

Green Power Purchase and On-site Generation
Kohl's is currently purchasing 1.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) green power annually and generates an additional 37 million kWh of on-site green power annually, which is enough to meet 105 percent of the company’s total U.S.-based electricity use.

The company is also one of the largest hosts of solar electricity in North America with 140 solar locations across 14 states and a goal to reach 200 solar locations by 2015. Kohl’s has two wind locations – its Findlay, Ohio distribution center and Corpus Christi, Texas store.

According to EPA, Kohl’s combined current green power use from renewable energy certificates (RECs) and on-site generation is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of more than 222,000 passenger vehicles per year, or the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 160,000 average American homes annually.

“EPA applauds Kohl’s Department Stores for its continued, distinguished commitment to expanding its use of green power and thereby reducing its climate impacts,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The Sustained Excellence in Green Power award is indicative of Kohl’s Department Stores’ environmental stewardship and is a well-deserved honor.”

EPA presented Kohl’s with the award today at an event held in conjunction with the 2013 Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Austin, Texas. The company was one of only three organizations nationwide to receive a Sustained Excellence in Green Power award, which recognizes EPA Green Power Partners that have distinguished themselves with their continued commitment to and support of green power over a period of years. Kohl’s joined EPA’s Green Power Partnership in 2006 and since 2009, has topped EPA’s Green Power Partnership Top 20 Retail list. The company currently ranks third on EPA’s National Top 50 list, third on EPA’s Fortune 500® list and seventh on EPA’s Top 20 On-site list. Each list highlights EPA Green Power Partners using the most renewable energy annually as of July 3, 2013. EPA updates its Top Partner Lists quarterly at www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.

Kohl’s demonstrates its commitment to protecting the environment by seeking solutions in three strategic areas:  sustainable operations, supply chain, and stakeholder engagement. The company’s comprehensive environmental program, Advancing Environmental Solutions, is part of the Kohl’s Cares® philanthropic platform, committed to making communities happier, healthier, greener places to live and work. Additional information about Kohl’s Cares is available at www.Kohls.com/Cares. Additional information about Kohl’s environmental efforts is available at www.KohlsGreen.com.

About Kohl's Department Stores
About Kohl’s Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit Kohls.com join the discussion on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/kohls) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/kohls/) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/kohls).

About EPA’s Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,500 Partner organizations collectively purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500® companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.

About the Green Power Leadership Awards
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) co-sponsors the annual Green Power Leadership Awards in conjunction with the Center for Resource Solutions. EPA recognizes winners in the following awards categories: Green Power Partner of the Year; Sustained Excellence in Green Power; On-site Generation; Green Power Purchasing; Green Power Community of the Year; and Green Power Supplier of the Year. EPA’s Green Power Purchaser awards recognize the exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners who distinguish themselves through green power procurement, market leadership, overall green power strategy, and overall impact on the green power market. EPA’s Green Power Supplier awards recognize green power suppliers for outstanding efforts, initiatives and programs that significantly advance the development of green power sources serving the voluntary market. The Awards are held in conjunction with the Renewable Energy Markets Conference. For additional information please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/.

Kohl's Department Stores logo

Kohl's Department Stores

Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. With a commitment to environmental leadership, Kohl’s operates 1,155 stores in 49 states. In support of the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $231 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares® cause merchandise program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.Kohls.com, join the discussion on Facebook (facebook.com/Kohls) or Twitter (twitter.com/Kohls) or get inspired on Pinterest (pinterest.com/Kohls) and Instagram (instagram.com/Kohls).

More from Kohl's Department Stores

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox